Why precast?
Using precast concrete materials allows you to save money, save time and gain valuable long-term efficiencies over traditional building materials such as wood, cast-in-place concrete, tilt-up concrete, brick, concrete masonry and exterior insulation finish systems (EIFS). You no longer have to sacrifice aesthetic for cost or accept long construction times to stay within budget.
Fast and efficient installation
Using precast concrete materials can save weeks or even months compared to other building materials (including block, tilt-up panels and cast-in-place floor slabs), providing significant cost savings in both precast product and construction time.
The precast manufacturing and installation process allows panels to be manufactured at the plant at the same time the footings and groundwork are being accomplished at the job site. As soon as the foundations are complete, precast panels can be erected. And since they are delivered to the job site per a specific schedule, interruptions to the work site and neighboring community are kept to a minimum while speed and efficiency are maximized.
Weather-related schedule delays are virtually eliminated, as precast concrete components can be produced and installed in almost any kind of weather without impacting product quality. In addition, the efficient manufacturing of precast concrete panels yields time savings through the ability to quickly replicate identical structural components.
Structural strength and durability
Precast concrete is by nature both extremely strong and extremely durable, delivering long-term structural integrity with very minimal maintenance. In fact, precast concrete actually gains strength over time and can be specially formulated to hold up to severe environments. And the high load capacity of precast concrete reduces the need for additional costly structural components and allows for greater design flexibility.
Unlike many other building materials, precast concrete does not degrade from exposure to the sun’s UV rays. It will not rot or mold, and is exceptionally resistant to impact, corrosion, weathering, abrasion and other ravages of time. It is also resistant to most chemical agents, and can be specially formulated to hold up to particularly corrosive chemicals.
Design and aesthetic versatility
Precast concrete offers the ability to achieve nearly any structural design. Its modularity allows for limitless component shapes and structure sizes and texture techniques (including exposed aggregates, sandblasted, smooth-as-cast, and broom/textured finishes) can be applied to meet unique aesthetic specifications.
Material strength and versatility allow for long spans of column-free interior spaces and for simple integration with plumbing, electrical, HVAC and other needs. And the unique properties of precast concrete structures offer flexibility for structural expansion in the future.
Safety and comfort
Precast concrete provides a safer, better protected structure than most other building materials. It is non-combustible (fire-resistant) and in elevated temperatures maintains its structural integrity far better than other materials.
The durability of precast concrete provides superior protection against impact from potentially damaging perils. In addition, the low sound transmission of precast concrete provides for quieter interiors and added comfort.
Environmentally friendly
Precast concrete is considered a green building material. It’s one of the most environmentally-friendly materials available. It is nontoxic, composed of natural materials and energy efficient, making it an excellent choice for both urban and rural environments. And because it is a designated safe material, using precast concrete will not only allow you to be environmentally conscious, but to also likely gain additional cost benefits through LEED credits.
Excellent value
Choosing precast concrete over traditional materials yields significant cost savings both during construction and over the life of the structure.
Construction costs are minimized by the offsite manufacturing and installation process, where components are produced with maximum efficiency, construction sites and schedules are not interrupted, and panels are installed very quickly with minimum labor and in nearly any weather condition. And because precast concrete is an environmentally friendly building material, you may gain additional cost benefits through LEED credits.
Over time, precast concrete structures continue to deliver cost savings through energy efficiency, structural durability and resistance to and protection from fire and the elements. Precast concrete offers a nearly maintenance-free structure.